Letter from Police Chief

"In light of the national discussion surrounding immigration policies, I have been asked to present the Burien Police Department’s position on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officers- also known as ICE. The simple answer is that the Burien Police Department does not cooperate with ICE enforcement activities, including relaying information or detaining our community members to facilitate immigration enforcement efforts. We are bound by our written policies and directives, as well as Burien and King County Code. (General Orders Manual 5.05.010, Burien Municipal Code 2.26.020, King County Code 2.15.020)

"The more complicated answer is why the Burien Police Department is committed to following these policies and laws, despite the controversy over immigration policies on a national stage. Sir Robert Peel’s principles are nearly 200 years old and still are a road map to effective policing in our communities. He identified that the basic mission of police is to prevent crime and disorder and that the ability to perform their duties is dependent on community approval of police actions. He went on to propose the relationship with the community should be that “the police are the public and the public are the police.” Academic research over the last 30 years has repeatedly confirmed that police effectiveness in addressing criminal behavior requires both trust in police and a belief in the legitimacy of their actions.

"Simply put, fear and trust cannot co-exist. Any member of our community, regardless of immigration status, must be able to call the police when they need help and support our investigation when they witness a crime. A victim of domestic violence should not have to decide if they want to suffer in silence or be deported when asking for help. A witness to a crime should not have to choose between helping the system hold the suspect accountable and their own freedom. A suspect of a crime should not be able to hide from justice behind threats of deportation.

As your Police Chief, it is my directive to my officers that we serve our community in a manner that builds trust. Both our policies and practice support this ideal.